Junior Allyssa DeHaan was a member of the five-player Preseason All-Big Ten Team.

Oct. 26, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Both the Big Ten Conference coaches and media expect the Michigan State women's basketball team to be better in head coach Suzy Merchant's second season. The Spartans were picked to finish third in the Big Ten this season by both parties in the preseason polls, released today at Big Ten Basketball Media Day in Chicago, Ill. Meanwhile, junior center Allyssa DeHaan was one of five student-athletes selected to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.

The only team in the Big Ten to return all five starters, Michigan State was chosen behind Ohio State and Purdue. Ohio State topped the media poll, while Ohio State was first by the coaches. Also released today, DeHaan was joined on the preseason all-conference team by Preseason Player of the Year Jantel Lavender of Ohio State, Jenna Smith of Illinois, Emily Fox of Minnesota and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton of Purdue.

Spartan fans can get their first look at the 2008-09 Michigan State squad on Sunday, Nov. 2 in the annual Green & White Game, set for 1 p.m. at the Breslin Center.